Friday, January 20, 2017

Fuzz Loves Rose's Rows of Buttons

Fuzz and Rose are newly married in The Burgeoning, but instead of a proper honeymoon, they must make an urgent voyage instead. Even so...

The sound of the latch of the door of their berth woke Rose. She opened her eyes to see Fuzz coming quietly to the side of their bed. "It's a perfect day, Rose," he said with a smile as he knelt to put his arm around her and give her forehead a kiss. "Absolutely perfect. We may have had a storm last night, but it's not at all cold as one would expect it to be. It's plain balmy out, just like spring."

"It probably means that there's more storm on its way," she said, sitting up with a yawn.

"Oh I expect so, particularly since the wind is in the very same direction that it was in yesterday evening..."

"Did I just hear birds outside?" she said, suddenly alert.

"Terns. We've been helping the cook fling slop to 'em. They showed up right after the sun. I saw gulls, too. We're coming to land. The captain and Yann-Ber say that these winds will have us at Dark's Cove by noon or even before. So come up on deck with me and enjoy this last lovely bit of air and sunshine over the water before we land."

"I think you just want my company."

"Oh I crave it."

"Well then, just give me a moment or two and I'll be right up."

"Splendid," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll just wait for you right here though, if you don't mind. Yann-Ber's up there pacing and champing at the bit and worrying to the point that it's calmer here."

"Even with my buttons?"

"Oh, I look forward to your buttons."

"Then I'll have a row for you, directly," she said, throwing aside her covers and putting her feet onto the floor. She felt the swell and fall of the sea through the boards as she always did the first time she stood up. She went to her great trunk, set on end and opened out like a folding wardrobe and fished amongst her dresses. "My," she thought, "The same ones day in and day out." She glanced aside at Fuzz, staring at the backs of his hands and grabbed out one at random. "I just can't keep my mind on anything since

Lukus's message globe came with news of Father..."

Fuzz was on his feet at once, putting his arms around her. They each gave a sigh. It had all been said. She turned aside and stepped into her dress. She could read his concern as she did so, even from the corner of her eye. She offered him her row of buttons. He was getting quick. When he fastened her top button, he gave her a quick hug and released her to brush her hair.

"Sorry I took so long," she said, looking up with a cheerful smile to cover up her somber sigh. "Shall we go?"

He nodded, following her out and up the cramped stair.

"Oh, it is nice out," she said, taking his hand and squeezing it, as she closed her eyes and turned her face into the wind and sun. "You always know just what I need."

"And you my dear, give me far more credit than I deserve. Nevertheless, I shall shamelessly romp and wallow in your praise if you must." Ch 5 The Burgeoning